Community Cultural Celebration
Board of Directors meeting minutes
April 22, 2008

Meeting opened at 1:00 pm by Nancylou Stiles at Norway Savings Bank in Bridgton conference room.
Attendance: George Bradt, Alan Crabtree, Henry Hamilton, Karen Hawkins, Mike McClellan, Joanne Morse, Nancylou Stiles, Lily Turner
Absent members: Dona Forke, DanaBeth Wells-Goodwin

*Introductions were made with a brief bio of each attendant

*Karen moved that George Bradt, Alan Crabtree, Dona Forke, Henry Hamilton, Karen Hawkins, Mike McClellan, Joanne Morse, Lily Turner, DanaBeth Wells-Goodwin be accepted as members of the Board of Directors, seconded by Lily Turner, unanimously approved (Nancylou will not be on the board as she wants to be the coordinator of this year’s event)

*Nominations made for officers:
President: George Bradt (moved by Karen, seconded by Lily), all approved
Vice-President: Joanne Morse (moved by Alan, seconded by Mike), all approved
Secretary: Karen Hawkins (moved by Alan, seconded by Mike), all approved
Treasurer: Mike McClellan (moved by Karen, seconded by Alan), all approved

*Checking account will remain at TDBanknorth, all officers will be signors on the account

*George suggested we contact Marion Rabe about permission to come under the 501c3 umbrella of the “Friends of the Arts” non-profit status until we are able to create bylaws and secure the necessary people and paperwork to get our own 501c2 status (George will make that contact with Marion)

*Mike will check about other non-profit ByLaws

*Discussion about a permanent “snail mail” address, decided to purchase a post office box at the Bridgton Post Office (George will get the box)

*Discussion about joining the Greater Bridgton Chamber of Commerce, cost to non-profits is $100 per year, Karen moved to join, Lily seconded, Mike abstained, everyone else in favor

*Discussion about website, Karen noted a domain name costs $9.29 per year, Karen will design and maintain a site and donate the cost of hosting for this year, purchase of the domain name cccofmaine.org was approved

*Discussion to permit voted by email or phone when there is a need for a final vote (after any controversial issue has been discussed face to face), new issues must be discussed face to face initially

*Nancylou proposed this year’s CCC event be held on Sept 20, 2008, she also expressed her desire to be the coordinator this year
*Discussion about pros and cons of the past tow year’s CCC events
2006 - 10 day event, about 380 attendees, 11 cultural presenters
2007 – 1 day event, about 150 attendees, 11 cultural presenters
It was noted that the 2007 event was lacking in adequate publicity, conflict of Musher’s Bowl activities the same time
other comments: lacking intimacy, lack of smooth transition between presenters, lack of adequate organization, need a schedule of presenters so people know what is going on when, request LRTV to film the event, acoustics are not good at the school, have an emcee to announce events etc, utilize local talent to play instruments during presenter transitions, if school classrooms can be used maybe presenters can offer a second presentation

*Last year the Hamm Foundation gave $2000 to the CCC (May 2007)

*Discussion about past costs incurred: printing brochures, advertising, rental of facility

*Motion made by Mike, seconded by Lily to not pay any presenters, all in favor

*Motion made by Karen, seconded by Lily to appoint Nancylou coordinator of this year’s CCC event, all in favor

*Motion made by Alan, seconded by Mike to approve Sept 20, 2008 as the day for the event, all in favor

*Gathering dates (from 9:00 – 11:00 am at Norway Savings Bank) to organize the event are as follows: April 26, May 17, June 6, none in July, August 9, possibly Sept 13, Celebration Sept 20
Tentative dates as approved by Gathering attendees, BOD is welcome to participate, copies of Gathering minutes to be sent to BOD

*Discussion about finding a lawyer to help (pro bono)with 501c3, Karen will check with law firms

*Next meeting May 7 at 1:00 pm, followed by meeting on May 21 at 1:30 pm at Norway Savings Bank

Meeting closed at 2:35 pm

Respectfully Submitted by,
Karen Hawkins, BOD secretary